September 19, 2024
Andrew Thompson
Campus Pastor, Dunbar Cave
Romans 5:10
If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
One of my best friends, a guy who was a groomsman in my wedding, was my middle school bully. I remember dreading going to school for fear of what kinds of things he might say to or about me in front of other people. It was so bad that I remember my mother and I praying for him to be kinder to me before I went to bed! When people speak about their own experiences with bullying, his jr. high face is the one that enters my mind. I don't exactly remember how things changed, but when we got into the eighth grade, something changed, and he and I became good friends. We went to high school and college together, and still remain very close. In initially becoming friends with him, I was willing to forgive a lot, but the promise of a friendly relationship with him was enough for me to let bygones be bygones. However, I am not sure how long our friendly relationship would have lasted had he continued to treat me the same way as before we became friends. As my friend he could have done me much more harm in treating me poorly, because it would suggest that friendship with me was not worth treating me rightly.
I think about this friendship of mine as I reflect on this verse from Romans 5. Here Paul is writing to Christians who are struggling to believe that God could continue to love them as they continue sinning. Most of us are probably okay with the idea that Jesus accepts us as we are and forgives us of all our sins upon coming to faith in him and believing the Gospel for the first time. However, it doesn't feel right that Jesus could continue to be okay with our continuing to sin! But this is exactly the assurance that Paul provides. We tend to turn our back on people who treat us poorly when we consider them a friend (as I would have with my childhood bully had he continued treating me poorly!). This is why this news from Paul is so difficult for us to believe. Jesus is not like us. He was willing to die for us when we were enemies. Why would he turn our backs on us now that we are his friends? Even if we continue to sin, Jesus will not turn his back on those who he has died for! Rest in that truth this morning. Thank God for loving you in spite of your sin, and ask for the resolve to live in a way which honors your friendship with God!
Campus Pastor, Dunbar Cave
Romans 5:10
If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
One of my best friends, a guy who was a groomsman in my wedding, was my middle school bully. I remember dreading going to school for fear of what kinds of things he might say to or about me in front of other people. It was so bad that I remember my mother and I praying for him to be kinder to me before I went to bed! When people speak about their own experiences with bullying, his jr. high face is the one that enters my mind. I don't exactly remember how things changed, but when we got into the eighth grade, something changed, and he and I became good friends. We went to high school and college together, and still remain very close. In initially becoming friends with him, I was willing to forgive a lot, but the promise of a friendly relationship with him was enough for me to let bygones be bygones. However, I am not sure how long our friendly relationship would have lasted had he continued to treat me the same way as before we became friends. As my friend he could have done me much more harm in treating me poorly, because it would suggest that friendship with me was not worth treating me rightly.
I think about this friendship of mine as I reflect on this verse from Romans 5. Here Paul is writing to Christians who are struggling to believe that God could continue to love them as they continue sinning. Most of us are probably okay with the idea that Jesus accepts us as we are and forgives us of all our sins upon coming to faith in him and believing the Gospel for the first time. However, it doesn't feel right that Jesus could continue to be okay with our continuing to sin! But this is exactly the assurance that Paul provides. We tend to turn our back on people who treat us poorly when we consider them a friend (as I would have with my childhood bully had he continued treating me poorly!). This is why this news from Paul is so difficult for us to believe. Jesus is not like us. He was willing to die for us when we were enemies. Why would he turn our backs on us now that we are his friends? Even if we continue to sin, Jesus will not turn his back on those who he has died for! Rest in that truth this morning. Thank God for loving you in spite of your sin, and ask for the resolve to live in a way which honors your friendship with God!
Posted in Daily Devos